Generally it is not a good idea to buy equipment before you have tried the sport. This is because equipment is normally matched to your abilities, draw length and other factors. Most clubs offer equipment for hire and give you an opportunity to try the sport without buying your own equipment. In fact most world champions (ours included) and Olympians started out with club equipment. Once you have tried the sport for a while, and feel that you warrant buying equipment, then the club coach or members would normally recommend an archery store from which you can buy equipment. Going this route ensures that you buy the right equipment to achieve the right results. Details about the equipment used in archery and the various terminology can be found in the SANAA Give-it-a-Go pathway program book, available from all SANAA affiliated clubs in South Africa.